A note on Philopterus kalkalichi Ansari, 1955 (Phthiraptera: Ischnocera: Philopteridae)

The status of Philopterus kalkalichi Ansari, 1955—type host Dicrurus macrocercus—is discussed in view of its multiple descriptions as a new species. The description of Philopterus kalkalichi as a “sp. nov.” by Ansari in 1958 clearly refers to a species of Brueelia which is, at present, an unidentifiable nomen dubium and clearly different from Brueelia dicruri described by Ansari in 1955. These two species of Brueelia have the same type host, D. macrocercus, but this bird species may not be the regular and natural host for one or both of them.